Laugh, and the world laughs with you.


One of my favorite songs as a child was an aria from a sad opera called Pagliacci. The aria is still one of the most empassioned laments I have ever heard, but the gist of it was, “you’re a clown. Laugh, people want to hear you laugh. Your heart is broken? use that heartbreak to make a funny face.”

The clown is a symbol of humanity. He is a teacher and a comic. He shows us how to laugh at ourselves. This particular clown is unflappable, he can take anything life throws at him. My husband designed this clown face 35 years ago. He drew this face in pencil on a piece of cardboard back in the day that he was a clown himself. He preserved it in his “toybox.” When I discovered it recently, I decided to paint it. Of course since the clown really was my husband, it meant even more to me to be able to show his own proud spirit and the amazing sense of humor that has taken him through some of the roughest patches that life could ever throw at a person. This painting is dedicated to Donald Boothby, my husband of 34 years. It is not for sale.


7 responses to “Laugh, and the world laughs with you.”

  1. Dear Mimi .. he’s just brilliant – I love his colouring .. and can imagine “the clown” – I’m so pleased you found the drawing and have now been able to paint him as a reminder .. beautiful – cheers Hilary

  2. Like Dee, I have been less than optimal.

    The clown is such a lovely interpretation. I hope Donald can appreciate the love with which you painted it.

  3. Dear Mimi, the painting arrived and I plan on framing it and placing it here on my desk. Thank you. And thank you, too, for sharing with us your appreciation of your husband and his being willing to take on the role of the clown. I’m sorry to have missed your most recent postings. I’ve been under the weather for about a week, but all is better now. Peace.

  4. It’s finely done on the planes of the face. A wonderful compliment for your husband and something for whole family to display ..

    It must be tough now. My thoughts are for you and Don.

Leave a Reply